A Police Officer performs general duty police work or specialized police work in the protection of life and property. In carrying out the responsibilities of an entry-level Arizona Peace Officer, a Mesa Police Department Police Officer: interacts with a culturally and socially diverse population; employs discretion in solving problems; maintains public order; prevents crime; enforces laws and ordinances; conducts investigations; makes arrests; issues summonses/citations, and warnings; assists the public; and may perform administrative support tasks. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

Work normally consists of routine patrol, preliminary investigations, and traffic control duties in a designated area on an assigned shift. The employee's primary responsibility is to respond to public safety calls for service. Incumbents may work on an assignment, which necessitates specialized abilities and knowledge usually attained through experience as a uniformed officer. Police Officers may be assigned to: assist in the training and evaluation of Police Officer - Recruits; perform traffic control and enforcement on a police motorcycle or bicycle; handle high risk tactical operations or hostage situations; handle hazardous devices; work with specially trained K-9 police dogs; conduct crime scene investigations for the detection of latent impressions and other physical evidence; work in the Criminal Investigations Division to perform detailed follow-up investigations and prepare cases for prosecuting; perform specialized investigations in the area of organized crime and maintain complex criminal intelligence files, and conduct aerial surveillance on assignment as a helicopter observer/pilot. Work assignments are made by a Police Sergeant or other superior. Work methods are checked through personal inspections, review of reports, and discussions. Work requires occasional physical exertion under adverse circumstances. A Police Officer is subject to rotating shifts, weekend, and holiday work.

A Police Officer - Lateral is an experienced Arizona peace officer who is not required to attend the Mesa Police Academy and is assigned to a Field Training Officer upon being hired. A Police Officer - Lateral must successfully complete the Field Training Officer program. The length of training will be dependent on an incumbent's performance as determined by the police training staff. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Qualifications & Requirements

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required - Police Officer - Lateral. Graduation from high school or GED. Applicant must have completed an AZ P.O.S.T. academy and must currently be, or has been, an AZPOST certified sworn peace officer in good standing. Tiered salary available based on sworn peace officer experience.

Special Requirements. Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. Candidates given a conditional job offer will be required to pass a pre-employment medical physical, psychological test battery, and drug screening. Must possess a valid Arizona Driver's License by hire date. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by hire date and must maintain certification.

Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.